“He was only a young mouse boy, but of strong build, with a glint in his eye that proclaimed him a born fighter. A creature of few words who never chattered needlessly.” – Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard or read those words. I grew up with Redwall (the book series) and even now when I have “grown up” enough to leave those books behind, I still remember details from them.
The quote above struck me whenever I read it. I didn’t want to be one of those mindless talkers – those girls who gather in groups and giggle and talk about idiotic and senseless things. Even in everyday conversations I like people who cut to the chase – who leave out all the unnecessary details.
That isn’t to say that I’m forever a stoic (I hope not!), get me around a few of my best friends and I’ll put those gigling girls to shame.
But the more I think about that quote and why it struck me is because it appealed to the hero-adoring kid in me. It paints a pictures of the classic hero – the strong, silent sufferer and unreachable hero. The hero we can’t understand fully but completely adore.
Humans can’t read minds, and if you don’t talk we can never be fully sure if we really know what you’re thinking.
Silence is a refuge but it can also be a curse. To never be understood – that’s sad.
I still find myself admiring the heroes our culture gives us (Batman will always be my favorite) but I’m glad I don’t have to live the life they do.
